Bill Text: IL HR0779 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Harlow "Bud" Swartout Jr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-05-29 - Resolution Adopted [HR0779 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0779-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Harlow
"Bud" Swartout Jr., who passed away on November 20, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout was born in Galesburg to Harlow
"Jerry" Sr. and Florence (Hawkins) Swartout on October 28,
1927; he graduated from Galesburg High School, where he played
football, wrestled, and competed in track and field; he earned
a college football scholarship to Drake University in Des
Moines, Iowa; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout attended Drake University until he
was drafted during World War II and served his country with
pride as a member of the U.S. Army; upon being discharged from
military service, he attended Illinois State University, where
he earned a bachelor's and master's degree; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout married JoAnn Sterling in 1951; they
were parents to children Jerry, Montana, and Nancy and
grandparents to seven grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout began teaching and coaching in the
small town of Fisher in 1951; he relocated to Woodstock in

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1954, where he taught science, served as an assistant football,
basketball, and track coach, and volunteered in a variety of
other roles until well beyond his retirement from the classroom
in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout earned the name "Bio Bud" for
instilling a love and respect for biology and science in the
students he taught; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout continued to volunteer and coach
after retirement, eventually serving as an assistant football
coach under five coaches, including Bob Bradshaw who brought
the Woodstock Blue Streaks their first state championship in
1983; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout volunteered for over 50 years as the
scorekeeper for countless wrestling matches at the high school;
he also lined the football field and taped ankles for athletes;
and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout volunteered in the activities
department at the Valley Hi Nursing Home in McHenry County two
mornings each week for over 20 years, adapting activities so
that all Valley Hi residents, including those in wheelchairs,
could participate in a variety of fun activities; and

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WHEREAS, Shortly after his retirement, a special award was
established in Bud Swartout's name to honor senior student
athletes who participated in three sports during each of their
four years of high school; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, the COACHES Scholarship (Competition,
Optimism, Attitude, Citizenship, Honesty, Effort and
Sportsmanship) bearing Bud Swartout's name was created and
continues to be awarded annually to the student athlete who
most exemplifies the pillars of character taught by Bud in the
classroom and on the athletic playing field; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout was elected to the Illinois High
School Football Coaches Association in 1995 and the Woodstock
High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996; the press box on
the Woodstock High School football field is named in his honor;
and
WHEREAS, In 2011, the District 200 Education Foundation
presented its first-ever Award of Excellence to Bud Swartout
for exemplary service to the students of Woodstock School
District 200; and
WHEREAS, Bud Swartout lived an exemplary life filled with
positive energy, a competitive spirit, enthusiasm, and
kindness which had a positive impact on the lives of thousands

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of students over six decades through service to youth that
spanned generations; and
WHEREAS, The surviving children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren of Bud Swartout can be proud of the legacy
and lasting impact their father, grandfather, and
great-grandfather had on the greater Woodstock community;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
mourn the passing of Harlow "Bud" Swartout Jr., and extend our
sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
and loved him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Bud Swartout as an expression of our
appreciation of his service to District 200 children, and of
our deepest sympathy.